Our People and Counselors

Executive Director

Mark Stevens is an experienced counsellor and therapist with 22 years of experience as a clinical counsellor working with individuals and families in crisis. He possesses knowledge of clinical administration, public/private collaborations, social service programs, clinical counsellor supervision, and therapeutic program development. He has a strong base of knowledge in substance abuse treatment, co-occurring disorders, and clinical supervision, along with three years of experience as a facility administrator. He holds a Master of Arts degree from Trinity Western University and a Diploma in Family Systems Therapy and Advanced Clinical Supervision from the Pacific Coast Family Therapy Training Association.

Registered Clinical Counselor

Samantha Robinson has extensive experience in counselling and crisis management and intervention. She has experience working with a number of different therapeutic models, including emotion-focused therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, attachment therapy (EMDR), and more. Her areas of specialty include trauma, abuse, PTSD, addiction, suicide, grief, and eating disorders.

Ms. Robinson holds a Master of Arts degree in Counselling Psychology from Adler University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Simon Fraser University. She is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors. Ms. Robinson holds additional certifications in trauma-focused training, mindfulness-based stress reduction, the Gottman Method of therapy, and more.

Horticulturalist

In her role as Horticulturalist, Christine Urbas assists clients to experience the therapeutic value of gardening. Christine is responsible for overseeing the facility’s gardens and landscape, with an emphasis on food production for residents and staff. She also works with staff and residents to maintain the property, create policies to help nourish staff and residents, direct landscaping crews, maintain and repair irrigation equipment, coordinate the growth and use of plants, and plan and construct any additional exterior spaces as needed.

Cultural Liason

Dixon Terbasket has been educated and trained by native elders and knowledge holders throughout his life on Syilx land ethics, land stewardship, and cultural and traditional principles and practices. He helps Healing River Recovery and Wellness Centre align with those principles in a respectful way while also acting as the liaison between the Organization and the local First Nations community.

Activities Coordinator

Our activity coordinator plans a variety of activities, from nature walks, shopping, kayaking, snowshoeing and gardening, to name a few. Our activities help participants to have healthy experiences away from addictive behaviours.